Camping at the challenge?

Nope. 

I did it once. After that, I decided I wanted to be in the host hotel. 

I stand behind what I wrote 2 years ago on page #1 of this thread.  Furthermore, there are these options...

This is an aerial view of the hotel.  

The lead-in road goes from paved to an unpaved cul-de-sac.  This area sees semi parking. I think those are semis shown in the photos.   The surface is not "maintained" and it can have some large ruts.  We watched a GRM'er with a Class A RV make some significant front bumper damage for himself going down deep into one of the ruts once.  This parking seems free and is not controlled by the hotel.    

Not well represented in this photo is that all of that Northern property and Western property (grassy areas) of the hotel is a very steep slope.  You will not physically/reasonably be able to set up a tent on that grass.  

At the very south of this picture, basically where the word Google is on the pic is a very flat, hotel owned, dirt, overflow lot.  It is a somewhat tight area with only one exit/entrance.  It has been know in years past that GRM'ers have parked campers in this area.  Not saying it is fully blessed but I have never heard of trouble.  As is usual with these scenarios, if you're not a problem then its usually not a problem.   

Thursday night GRM parking lot gatherings happen all along the back parking lot of the hotel, the West side, left side of this photo.  

Here is a current thread about Challenge Room Share.  

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/2018-challenge-hotel-room-splitting/142960/page1/

If camping discretely onsite these cats may also be willing to get you a great rate on shower privileges.  

SVreX said:

Nope. 

I did it once. After that, I decided I wanted to be in the host hotel. 

Agreed.

THERE'S ROOM IN THE PARKING LOT,and a little side lot, that would be where I would park.

Camping in the parking lot of a fancy hotel is tacky. 

The side lot's well out of view though, so nobody has to know

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Still tacky. 

Rule 1 of the hotel is don’t do anything that gets us not welcomed back the following year, because there are no other hotels there worth staying at

Is that the same as political INcorrectness.  then I am one tacky guy.  

Can I use your Shower,

In reply to GTXVette :

Read Patrick's post. 

The Gateway Grand puts up with a lot from us. 

Pitching a tent on the front lawn of a hospitality provider probably crosses the line. 

There is nothing wrong with choosing camping. I’ve done it. But part of that choice is choosing to sacrifice some of the benefits of staying at the hotel. 

If you’re short on cash, see the shared rooms thread. I’m sharing mine with 2 people. 

Lets not get the Gateway Grand pissed. We almost lost the privilege of staying there once before. 

There’s an shiny happy person in every group 

pitchin' a Tent could be Tacky.  camper van is what I was thinking. but I was just yanking your chain, I have points to borrow for friday night but not at the 'good' hotel.

Patrick said:

There’s an shiny happy person in every group 

 

that is a big statement from someone that won't play without a drag race. I WILL see if I can find you a drag race, will Rue Paul do.

ckosacranoid said:

is someone trying to steal me longest drive award again this next year? thats it have to figure out a longer drive then to get there.....

Where are you coming from? When i go next year im really likely to be longest drive

In reply to ThatsNoUsername :

Ckosacranoid drives his Challenge car from Wisconsin. 

In reply to John Welsh : Thanks for all the useful details. It gives me some ideas.

SVreX said:

Camping in the parking lot of a fancy hotel is tacky. 

I agree. Did it once at a Holiday Inn in a Winnebago, years ago. We opted to keep the lights off at night. I decided then, not to do it again. Probably a lot fewer security cameras, back then.

COULD IT BE CONSIDERED A PARKING LOT BUILD SUPPORT VEHICLE? Again just A joke.

SVreX said:

In reply to ThatsNoUsername :

Ckosacranoid drives his Challenge car from Wisconsin. 

Eastern Washington here so i think ill win that lol